Today might not have been the day’s hottest year, but people were still breaking out the sun cream and sunglasses.

The hottest temperature of the day was recorded in Writtle in Essex at 26C. Santon Downham and Cavendish in Suffolk saw similar temperatures.

The hottest temperature in the country so far this year was also recorded at Writtle, at 28.7C, back on July 4.

However forecasters have said the temperatures will only rise as the week goes on, probably hitting 30C by the weekend.

Dan Holley at Weatherquest said that although an easterly wind coming in tomorrow will result in cooler temperatures nearer the coast, the overall air temperature will rise in areas further west like Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds.

The atmosphere will also be more humid as the week progresses, and we can expect thundery showers on Friday night and Saturday. However, Mr Holley added that these would do little to break the humidity.

Today the weather was hot enough to cause some delays on the Greater Anglia railway network.

Network Rail ordered trains to travel slower due to the high temperatures.

Rails can rise in temperature by as much as 20C in direct sunlight, causing them to expand and sometimes buckle. Speed restrictions help reduce the risk of rails buckling.